Freezing temperatures in Leicestershire mean some residents could be entitled to cold weather payments.

Under a government system you could receive £25 because temperatures plummetted.

Depending on how cold it was where you live the Cold Weather Payment system will kick-in and you could receive the pay out, writes the Manchester Evening News .

When can it be claimed?

According to the Government, residents claiming certain types of benefits would be entitled to get a payment if the average temperature in their area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days.

They must be in receipt of pension credit, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance or universal credit.

The scheme runs between November 1 and March 31 and those qualifying would get a payment of £25 for each seven-day period of ‘very cold weather’.

Residents don’t have to apply for the payments.

The Government said that anyone eligible to get a Cold Weather Payment would be paid automatically.

Anyone who believes they should have received a payment but hasn’t is advised to alert their pension centre or Jobcentre Plus.

The universal credit helpline can also be used.

It’s not known what forecast the Government uses but the Met Office predicts temperatures to rise to above zero by Saturday.

The payments are different to Winter Fuel Payments.

(Image: Chris Gordon)

Anyone born on or before August 5, 1953 could get between £100 and £300 to help pay heating bills.

Residents would usually get a payment automatically if they’re eligible and in receipt of the state pension or another social security benefit, excluding housing benefit, council tax reduction, child benefit or universal credit.